20. Lucas
CHAPTER 20
Lucas
S he is to marry soon. Isabella's words replay in my head. The words blur together as a knife twists deep in my chest. I knew something was off when she ended things out of nowhere last week, but this...
With shaking hands, I dial her number, relieved to hear her phone ring again. She must've turned it back on. I only pray that I'll get to hear her sweet voice tell me it's all some sick joke. But instead, I'm greeted with ring after ring. She picks up just as I'm about to hurl my phone across the room.
"Lucas..." Her voice is barely a whisper. "I heard you were here. I know Mom told you."
"Tell me it's not true, Sera. Please. This can't be happening." I grip the phone so tight my knuckles turn white.
"I'm so sorry, Lucas. The marriage was arranged by my father and his. There's nothing I can do."
Her words hit me like a right hook to the jaw. I slump against the wall, struggling to breathe.
"We can figure this out, Serafina. You and me, together. Just please don't go through with it."
She lets out a choked sob. "Not this time. Lucas, I have to go. Goodbye."
The line goes dead. I slide to the floor, my heart shattered into a million pieces. The woman who I had already imagined a future with, after only a few months of knowing her, is being forced to marry another man. And there's nothing I can do to stop it.
All because of this goddamn mafia life I never asked for.
I bury my face in my hands, hot tears burning my eyes. How can I watch her pledge herself to someone else? But even through the agony ripping me apart, one truth remains - I'd rather have Serafina in my life, even if it destroys me, than lose her forever.